Crime & Safety
Masked Suspects Seen Trying to Climb Onto Hinsdale Central Roof
Hinsdale Central principal Tom Paulsen sent an email to parents explaining the trespassing incident that occurred Friday morning at 10:45 a.m.
Two unknown males with cloth masks attempted to get onto the Hinsdale Central roof at around 10:45 a.m. Friday but ran away after being seen by staff members, according to an email sent to Hinsdale Central parents by interim principal Tom Paulsen.
“The individuals were nearly on the roof when the vigilance of Frank Wright and Suzy Skowronski of our Building and Grounds department thwarted that attempt,” Paulsen wrote. “The pair jumped down and ran across Grant Street disappearing into the neighborhood directly to the east.”
Paulsen’s letter states that the incident is cause for “significant concern,” but the principal does not believe staff or students were in danger.
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District 86 communications director Kristine Liptrot forwarded Paulsen’s email to Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Patch. It was sent to parents at 4:52 p.m. Friday. Deputy Chief Mark Wodka of the Hinsdale Police Department confirmed that the incident occurred.
“The information released by the high school to parents is the only public information available at this time,” Wodka said. “The case is still on-going and as of this time there is no suspect information available.”
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The two trespassers were identified as males based on security-camera footage, which showed them entering the school’s loading dock area and attempting to reach the roof by climbing a fence surrounding a set of dumpsters.
Paulsen’s email says the two were “young,” but it is not known for certain that they are Hinsdale Central students.
Lights in the school’s parking lot and stadium were left on over the weekend, and the Hinsdale Police Department performed extra patrols in the area.
“We are also seeking your assistance in being alert to what students might say in your presence,” Paulsen writes. “Please report anything you feel is pertinent to the incident to school resource officer Mark Keller and/or deans Kimm Dever, Steve Edsey or Sean Brennan so we might be able to apprehend the individuals involved. You can also report any information directly to the Hinsdale Police Department.”
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